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Herron VTPH-2A phono preamp owner's advice.

Okay members, I couldn't stand the suspense any longer. I had to find out for myself if the stellar reviews on the VTPH-2A are overblown or indeed honest. I ordered a unit yesterday and it is on Herron's schedule to be built. Hopefully I'll see it sooner rather than later. Anyways, the question I have deals with tubes. I've never owned any tube equipment, only solid state. Does anyone have a clue as to how long the stock tubes should last? I know that folks will want me to tube roll and there will be tons of advice on which tubes to purchase. I plan on following the advice from Herron and simply stay with the stock tubes.
professorsvsu

Showing 4 responses by dwette

dwette
291 posts
 
I also own the VTPH2 (not the "a") and have had it for several years. It is a fantastic phono stage and better than anything else I have used in recent years, including the Moon 310LP and the Fosgate Signature v2. Very neutral, detailed, revealing and with plenty of PRAT.

I just packed all my Naim gear for service/upgrades, so I thought to contact Keith about what is changed in the "a." He plans to call me tomorrow to discuss upgrading my unit to "a" spec. When I bought it originally, he personally delivered and set it up in my system (he lives/works a few miles away).
dwette
291 posts
 
@bpoletti Done. I got the VTPH-2a back last week. Keith was reasonable on price and fast on turnaround.

What are you using for tubes? I had been using Genelex Gold Lions, but after the upgrade I decided to restore the original tunes Keith supplied. It turns out the AX7s are bad so I got a set of Electro-Harmonix AX7 for 1/3 that Keith suggested work well. I have his original AT7s in 2/4/5, but thinking about rolling for a warmer sound maybe (Mullard 4024, ?). I'm using a Clearaudio Concerto V2 cartridge, currently loaded at 47K.
Meanwhile, I'll leave the tubes I have in as is for a while. Everything needs to break in again first. My Naim 282/HCDR/250DR all went through DR upgrades and re-cap service, so it all needs to break in again.
dwette
291 posts
 
@bpoletti thank you for the feedback. 
Keith also encourages me to keep them as is, at least until the unit is broken in [again] (I agree with that). Sometimes I like to try different things, then I settle on something and usually do nothing else to my system for years.
dwette
291 posts
 
I sold my VTPH-2a recently, not because I didn't like it. It think it's the best value for the money and punches very well above its weight. I only sold mine because I have a top shelf Naim 'Classics' system and decided to match it with the Naim SuperLine phonostage, with the intention to upgrade to the full-monty $13 configuration.

What's also amazing is how well it held its value. I had mine for 6 years and sold it for about 75-80% of what I had into it (including the 2a update). 

Keith and I remain friends anyway. 🙂
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